Conte off to a flyer: defence, goals, top spot, Atalanta fall short | OneFootball

Paraphrasing the famous film by Troisi, the Salento coach regains enthusiasm and confidence starting from his strong suit, the three-man defense. Three goals, three points, and a lot of Napoli make the night at the Maradona memorable this Saturday. A shocking debut for Palladino on the Dea's bench. A brace from Neres and a goal from Lang for the Italian champions, with Scamacca narrowing the gap for the visitors in the second half.

Conte starts again from three. Defense, goals, points… leadership: Scamacca isn't enough for Atalanta

The clash between Napoli and Atalanta delivers more than just a result. It redefines priorities, restores awareness, and clarifies the direction of both seasons.

Napoli cannot shy away from the role of protagonist. It is a competitive and cultural obligation. And from this role, it must start to understand if the perceived fragility is real or just a symptom of an unfinished transformation. The calendar, between Serie A and the Champions League, offers no respite. Every hesitation could turn into a difficult obstacle to overcome. Last year's precedent also serves as a reminder when Atalanta conquered the Maradona with a clear 0-3, highlighting structural weaknesses that were slowly rebuilt. Napoli, with the championship badge on its chest, is undergoing a profound transformation, not only technically but also culturally. Those who thought that nothing happened in the previous two weeks will have to reconsider: the lineup chosen by Conte represents a radical change of paradigm.

Napoli regains momentum, identity, and results after the difficulties encountered against Como and Bologna. At the Maradona, Antonio Conte's team beats Atalanta 3-1 on the night of Raffaele Palladino's debut on the Nerazzurri bench. A match that marks a technical and mental turning point: Conte revolutionizes the setup, relaunches the three players at the center of recent internal tensions – Beukema, Neres, and Lang – and chooses the three-man defense as a new point of stability.

The list of absences is long, but the coach does not seek excuses. Instead, he uses the emergency to introduce a significant change of pace, based on rhythm, aggressiveness, and individual responsibility. The three players previously considered on the fringes respond with a high-level performance and become absolute protagonists of the match. Napoli attacks the game from the start. High pace, quick maneuvers, transitions built with precision. And the goals follow: halftime at 3-0, a brace from Neres and Lang's first goal in blue. Three goals constructed with fluid team mechanisms, rediscovered synchronisms. Atalanta, in the first half, never manages to make an impact. The entry of Scamacca changes the Bergamaschi's center of gravity, who quickly narrow the gap with a splendid volley from the striker. The Dea finds momentum and insists in the Azzurri's final third, Palladino throws in all the offensive arrows he has on the bench, and by a hair, on Scamacca's header, they don't give themselves hope. Napoli for Conte has heart, resists, stays back, suffers, and sends a message: it is a team alive to be accompanied. The difficulties have not disappeared, but something has changed: the team has shown reaction, courage, and a new direction. Three elements that, in a complex moment, are worth much more than the three points. Starts again from three…

Napoli-Atalanta 3-1

Napoli (3-4-3): Milinkovic-Savic 6; Beukema 6.5, Rrahmani 6.5 (64′ Juan Jesus 6), Buongiorno 6.5; Di Lorenzo 7, Lobotka 7, McTominay 6.5, Gutierrez 6.5 (69′ Mazzocchi 6); Lang 7 (69′ Elmas 6), Højlund 7 (75′ Lucca 5.5), Neres 7.5 (69′ Politano 6). Coach: Conte 7 Atalanta (3-4-3): Carnesecchi 5.5; Djimsiti 5, Hien 5, Ahanor 5.5 (46′ Kossounou 6); Bellanova 6.5, Ederson 5.5, de Roon 5.5, Zappacosta 5.5 (62′ Zalewski 5.5); Pasalic 5 (46′ Scamacca 6.5), Lookman 5 (82′ Maldini NG); De Ketelaere 6 (77′ Samardzic 6). Coach: Palladino 5.5

Scorers: 17′ and 38′ Neres (N), 45′ Lang (N), 53′ Scamacca (A).

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.